Inflated game-ball.



w. MILLER.-

INFLATED GAME BALL.

APPLICATION man JUNE 21. Ian.

Patgnted Sept. 25, 191?.

UNITE %TA@ PAENT @FIQ.

WILLIAM MILLER, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE 1?. GOLDSMITHS SONS COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

INFLATED GAME-BALL,

Application filed June 21, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, WILLIAM h IILLER, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Newport, in the county of Camp bell and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Inflated Game-Balls, of which the following is a specification.

An object of my invention is to produce an improved inflated game ball in which wearing of the seams of the ball is prevented and in which stretching of the leather of the ball and consequent unshapeliness thereof is overcome.

A further object is to produce an improved inflated game ball in which means are provided for aifording players a more positive and firmer grip upon the ball.

These and other objects are attained in the ball construction described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an end elevation of the ball embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental transverse sectional view of the ball disclosed in Fig. 1.

My improved ball consists of the usual skin or leather casing 3, a lining 4t, and a bladder 5, the casing and lining being constructed of sections 6 and 7 respectively and having seams 8'to join adjacent sections. The ball thus far described is like ordinary inflated game balls. However, in constructing my improved ball I provide the casing and lining with a series of stitches 9 and 10 upon each side of each seam. These stitches extend entirely through the casing and the lining and are permitted to extend above the surface of the casing to present ridges upon the surface of the ball as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.

The construction of a ball in this manner not only secures the casing and the lining together more securely, but also forms wearing ridges on each side of each seam so that the seams are protected against wear. These Specification of Letters Patent.

fumbling of the ball.

Patented Sept. 25, 191%..

Serial No. 176,031.

stitches also have the effect of preventing stretching of the leather of the casing and the material of the lining, thereby holding the ball in its regulation shape. Inflated game balls which are used in certain games, such as foot ball, volley ball and basket ball, are discarded when they become misshapen through stretching of the leather which is usually caused by wear upon certain portions of the ball and which occurs particularly at the seams.

An additional advantage attained by my improved construction is that a ball having the additional stitches 9 and 10, is rendered easier to handle in the playing of a game since the stitches aflord a more positive and firmer grip of the players lingers upon the surface of the ball and thereby prevent This is particularly true when the surface of the ball becomes slippery from moisture.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An inflated game ball comprising a casing consisting of a series of sections having seams between the sections, and stitches located on each side of the seams and projecting beyond the surface of the ball.

2. An inflated game ball comprising a casing consisting of a series of sections, a lining located within the casing and consisting of a series of sections, the sections of the casing and the lining having seams to secure them together, and stitching lo cated on each side of each seam, passing through the casing and the lining and having the stitches thereof extending beyond the surface of the casing.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub szcribed my name this 18th day of June, 191

WILLIAM MILLER.

Witnesses:

WVALTER F. MURRAY, l/V. THORNTON Boonnr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner or Patenta, Washington, 1). G. 

